Salesman&#39;s carrying case



y 29, 1952 R. H. ARBIB SALESMANS CARRYING CASE Filed July 5, 1950 IN V EN TOR. A flak 0rd Jfbjb ATTORNEYS.

Patented July 29, 1952 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SALESMANS CARRYING-CASE Richard H. Arbib, New York, N. Y.', assignor to Swank, Inc a corporation of'Delaware Applicationlulyfi, 1950,, Serial No. 172,156

2 Claims. 1

This invention relates to,v a salesmans sample case- Salesmens sample cases have been variously formed but are usually along thelines of a common piece of luggage, frequently having two parts which telescope together to serve only the function of containing specimens or samples which may be carried within. Also, usually the two parts of the case are different, one being larger than-the other. where a telescoping action is provided.

One of the objects of" this invention is to provide a sample case which may serve as a table upon which the samples may be displayed in addition to its use as a carrying case.

Another object of the invention is to. provide acarrying case in which the parts which. go to form the. case are identical.

Another object of the invention is to provide ashell which may serve as a sample case. from two identical parts which may serve as a, table for supporting the merchandise carried within the case in addition to a carrying case.

Another object of the invention is to permit the samples carried with the case to be maintained within the case while the case is serving as a table and yet permit access to the samples contained in the case.

With these and other objects in view, the invention consists of certain novel features of construction as will be more fully described and particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the sample case closed and ready for carrying.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the sample case in open position, and serving as a table.

Figure 3 is a sectional view through the case in closed position.

Figure 4 is a perspective exploded view showing the parts which go to make up the case.

Figure 5 is a fragmental perspective view of the modified lock on the handle.

In proceeding with this invention, I provide two sections of corresponding shape and size the edges of which will fit together to form between them a hollow case. These sections are hinged along a line parallel to their top and bottom ends so that one may be swung relative to the other through substantially ninety degrees so that it may serve as the top of a table, and I provide a U-shaped member to serve as a leg for supporting the horizontal section in this open relation. The leg is so formed that when the case is closed, it serves as a handle for the case causing the same to be in a compact relation.

With reference to the drawings, one of the sections is. designated generally l0, and. the other section is designatedgenerally II. Section ID. has a top end. wall 12 from. which there depend'sfa portion of aside wall I3',.and1 another portion, of an opposite side wall l4. while there also depends L-shaped portions [5 of opposite sidewalls, there being a leg l6 and a leg I]. p

The other section II, a duplicate of'section I0, is reversely positioned with reference to section H3 and comprises abottom end wall I'B'a-nd a portion of a side wall I9 and aportion of an op posite side wall 20- while its adjoining sidewalls 2| are of L-shape having a leg 22- and another leg 23.

As will be seen from the'drawings, the portions [3' and 20" cooperate to form the whole of the opposite side wall, there beinga juncture between the portions I 3 and 2-0, as at 24; parallel to the end Walls and anotherjuncture-2-5between the portions M and [9 parallel to the ends: The portions l5'and 2| beingeach L shape-fit together to complete the opposite sidewalls and form an S-shaped joint having portions 26 and 2'! parallel to the ends and an intermediate portion 28 at right angles to the ends.

These sections above described are usually formed of a molded plastic which has a very tough surface which will resist abrasion. In order, however, to seal the edges of this plastic shell which also serves as a trim for the case, metal strips are provided, there being a metal strip 30 of the shape shown in Figure 4 to serve as a reinforcement for the lower edge of the wall portion [3 and which is attached to this wall portion in any suitable manner so as to overlap the wall portion 20, as shown in Figure 3. The corners of this strip project beyond the rounded corner of the leg I! and are provided with openings 3| for a purpose to be hereinafter explained. Further edging strips 32 are provided to complete the edge of the L shaped side l6 and I1 and an edging strip 33 is provided to extend along the cooperating L-shaped side 23-23 of the section I I. Each of these strips also extend across the back where the joint 25 is formed, and down the L-shaped edge of the opposite wall. The horizontal extending portions 34 and 35 of the strips (see Figures 3 and 4) serve as a mounting for a hinge 35 which has its hinge axis parallel to the ends I2 and I8 and serves to hingedly connect the sections.

The U-shaped member, designated generally 31, has legs 38 and 39 which are pivoted in the openings 3| by pins 40. While the opposite ends of these legs are connected by a bar 4| which may have a rubber buffer 42 secured about it.

the legs 38 and 39 are of such length that when the section i6 is swung about its hinge 36 to horizontal position, these legs will support the section 19 as a table, and trays 49 which are located in the section H may be taken from the section and placed upon the top of the section l9 which now serves as a table.

It is a simple matter to swing the U shaped member 3"! from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure 1 while closing the section [0 on the section H and by swinging this handle through substantially 270 from the position shown in Figure 2 to the position shown in Figure l, the U-shaped member 31 may serve as a carrying handle. The buffer 42 serves as a cushion for the hand when carrying the case.

In some cases, as in Figure 5, there may be double edge bands 41 and 48 with a pivot 49 for a handle 59 which has a recess to receive and lock with a pin 51 mounted on band 3 to serve as a lock for the sections of the case. A look may be also provided by a hasp 52 engaging an abutment 53 to hold the handle or U member 31 in the position shown in Figure l.

Iclaim:

1. A salesmans sample case comprising a pair of sections providing a hollow shell, one section having a bottom end and portions of four upstanding walls, the other section having a top end and the remaining cooperating portion of said four walls, two of the portions of one wall meeting along a joint parallel to an end and a hinge to connect said sections along said joint, one of the upstanding walls being of a dimension so that when the section having the top is swung to dispose the wall horizontally it will project across the upper open end of the case and overhang the supporting surface beyond its cooperating wall portion and a U -shaped member pivoted to the section having the top end along said overhang to support said section on the side of said section opposit the hinge in horizontal position or swing to a position when closed to serve as a carrying handle.

2. A salesmans sample case comprising a pair of sections providing a hollow shell, one section having a bottom end and portions of four upstanding walls, the other section having a top end and the remaining cooperating portion of said four walls, two of the portions of one wall meeting along a joint parallel to an end and a hinge to connect said sections along said joint, one of the upstanding walls being of a dimension so that when the section having the top is swung to dispose the wall horizontally it will project across the upper open end of the case and overhangthe supporting surface beyond its 00- operating wall portion, the joint in right angular wall portions being Z-shaped, and a U-shaped member pivoted along the intermediate leg of said joint 2 to the section having the top end along said overhang to support said section on the side of said section opposite the hinge in horizontal position or swing along said joint to a position when closed to serve as a carrying handle.

RICHARD H. ARBIB.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 59,086 Skinner Oct. 23, 1866 623,292 Sell Apr. 18, 1899 1,919,898 Martin July 25,1933 1,992,435 Labadie et al. Feb. 26, 1935 2,510,643 Long June 6, 1950 

